Clinical Congress Then and Now: Distinguished Service Award

Each year at Clinical Congress, one Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) is named as the recipient of its highest honor: the ACS Distinguished Service Award. For decades, the awarding of this honor by the current ACS President is one of the highlights of the Annual Clinical Congress. Pictured are two worthy recipients. Hilger Perry Jenkins, MD, FACS, was chairman of the College’s Committee on Medical Motion Pictures, the driving force behind the Cine Clinic programs, and the originator of the "Spectacular Problems in Surgery" film program at the Clinical Congress. That program has been presented every year since 1954 and is known today as "Interesting and Unusual Problems in Surgery.” Under Jenkins’ leadership, the College’s Motion Picture Library grew into an essential aid for a broad program of undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing surgical education.

F. Dean. Griffen, MD, FACS, was recognized for his for his leadership roles as Chair of the Board of Regents’ Committee on Patient Safety and Professional Liability, Vice-Chair of the Public Profile and Communications Steering Committee, President of the ACS Louisiana Chapter, and member of the ACS Board of Governors’ Committee on Professional Liability. Dr. Griffen was also acknowledged for his superb clinical activity as a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy among other distinguished surgical appointments that he served throughout his surgical career. Dr. Griffen was further recognized for his leadership role with the American College of Surgeons in bringing to the attention of its membership—through his ground-breaking work on the ACS Closed Claims Study—insights into ways to improve surgical care and decrease liability through professional behavior, conducting numerous seminars, postgraduate courses, and mock trials at the Clinical Congress on the issue of liability and professionalism.

ACS Archives Highlights is a series showcasing the vibrant history of the American College of Surgeons, its members, and the history of surgery. For further information on our featured highlights, search the Archives Catalog or contact the ACS Archivist.